Madame de Staël

“ SIGNORA FANTASTICI: Poetry doesn't consist only of verse, but in love for the arts, in enthusiasm and imagination, which raises the soul and the spirit. It proscribes all manner of sentiments, vulgarity, undemocratic ideas under the weight of which you've spent your entire life! Listen to me. I am going to give a party to a charming woman that illness keeps at home and who supports her sufferings with admirable courage. Now that's poetry for heaven's sake, true poetry. Would you play a role in the play we want to perform for her? ”

“ LICIDAS: Mother, Father, pardon. But you don't know how beautiful the part is that I was just rehearsing; you don't know the Signora Fantastici and her charming daughter Zepherina. How I pity you!
MR. DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL: My son, what are you saying to us? These are names I've never heard mentioned and yet I wandered about the country when I was young.
MADAME DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL: My son, I fear the people of whom you are speaking are not of a society suitable to a well brought up young man.
LICIDAS: Mother, they are two charming Italians, mother and daughter. ”

“ ZEPHERINA: Now that's fine. My mother is also Signora Fantastici; me—Zepherina Fantastici. But you need to be good for something. My job is that of young female leads. And you sir, would you believe it? I think well enough of you to give you the role of Renaldo in Armida.
LICIDAS:
Ah, Zepherina. What are you thinking of? That's mine.
ZEPHERINA: Let me do it, let me do it. It's necessary to attract beginners. The role will revert to you.
RODOLPHE: Renaldo and Armida? What's that? That doesn't relate to someone in our social circle? I don't wish to shock anyone. ”

“ SIGNORA FANTASTICI: Yes, but only a judge can grant or refuse a travel visa. And the judge will do me justice. He loves the arts, he loves poetry. Beware he doesn't dismiss you for having infringed on his rights. ”

“ LICIDAS: Father is always telling us about the same siege. The one at Troy didn't last as long.
MR. DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL:
Will you stop! If I—
LICIDAS: Signora Fantastici has a new idea every day. Music, pictures, poetry fill and vary her life. Father and Mother, I really ask your forgiveness but I intend to follow Signora Fantastici.
MR. DE KRIEGSCHENMAHL:
Ah! We shall know how to prevent you. But here is your brother
Rodolphe who will set you straight.
RODOLPHE: (entering) Hello Father—how's the pipe going? Hello Mother, how are your nerves? I pity the fact you have such things. ”

“ He's a man of sense, my younger son is. He doesn't have the complexion of roses and lillies like your Licidas. He isn't made for domestic life like you and your son; but he's reasonable and I'll go so far as to bet that your Licidas will commit more stupidities than Rodolphe. ”

“ COMMISSIONER: Yes, it's true. I have a-a little trouble speaking. But my mother told me it would give me dignity.
SIGNORA FANTASTICI: Your lady mother was surely right. But stammering is a great handicap in haranguing the public.
COMMISSIONER:
And what must I do to correct it?
SIGNORA FANTASTICI:
Act in a play.
COMMISSIONER:
Me? Act in a play.
SIGNORA FANTASTICI:
A role of judge.
COMMISSIONER:
A role of judge.
SIGNORA FANTASTICI:
Twice a week. And you'll be judge for 3 hours.
COMMISSIONER:
The Municipal Council only meets once a week. ”

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